New digital recordings of events in U.S. history and early radio shows are at risk of being lost much faster than older ones on tape and many are already gone, according to a study on sound released Wednesday.
Even recent history — such as recordings from 9/11 or the 2008 election — is at risk because digital sound files can be corrupted, and widely used CD-R discs only last three to five years before files start to fade, said study co-author Sam Brylawski.
"I think we're assuming that if it's on the Web it's going to be there forever," he said. "That's one of the biggest challenges."...
Reminds me of a similar report I heard 20 years ago or so, about how many millions of books printed on newer acid-based papers were degrading much faster than older ones that used more rugged parchment-type paper.
Subsequent developements in the computer image scanning industry seems to have all but solved that problem.
Therefore I'm realatively confident we'll come up with a future and similar technical fix to solve this new problem as well.
Perhaps Sermonaudio would weigh in on this thread to explain how he archives and protects our digital sermons. Will these still be available in 20 or 50 years?
I have known for years that recordings in digital format do not last forever, that they will eventually detereorate. ?That is why I prefer Cassette Tapes, Records and 8 Track Tapes over Compact Discs.
1
There are a total of 5 user comments displayed | add new comment |
COMMENTS | 
